Unfortunately, ATT Wireless GPRS service is spotty at best. In fact, here in downtown Chicago (as of 4/04) access to mMode can be hit or miss even though there is maximum signal strength. Oddly, the data network appears to have degraded significantly since it went live 2.5 years ago. With reliability being as bad as it, one has to question the value of a superior interface, especially if the primary motivation for upgrading your phone is easier use of data functions. Clearly, one could not rely on this network for critical access to data for business purposes.

Data performance aside, the 6800 is an impressive phone with the best keyboard on the market. It also has a joy stick that allows for easy navigation of menus. Although I have never played games with the phone, the joystick would be excellent for this purpose. To aid users typing in poor ambient light, full keyboard lighting is available at the press of a button. The elaborate set of interface elements, especially folding keyboard, makes the phone appear fragile. Yet, my experience shows the phone is quite rugged as it has survived several drops on hard concrete.

There are many bells and whistles on the phone including a programmable FM radio. Although the reception is adequate in the city[Chicago], it degrades significantly 10 miles outside the city limits. Compared to a car radio with external antenna, it leaves something to be desired. Oddly, the stereo headphones (not required) cost $25, which is more than most digital FM radios. At first glance, one might think a radio on cell phone is a useless feature. However, many health clubs have their television screens' audio broadcasted through FM. Having an all-in-one device is nice in this regard.

Combined with an excellent interface, the phone's feature set is sufficiently robust as to supplant most PDA functions. The screen is large enough for the calendar and note pad. When traveling, I have found the multifunction calendar and alarms very helpful. A surprising feature of the phone is the quality of the speakerphone. Clearly there was major engineering to get the clarity and volume is good as it.

One very useful capability, which many users are not aware, is the phone's ability to use any POP email account. Hence, you can send and receive business email - and NOT use an ATT address. ATT has its own SMTP capability, which is transparent to the sender and recipient and lets users avoid blocked SMTP access hassles. More recently, all of the major web-based formats (Hotmail, Yahoo) have been added to the ATT mMode offering.

While most of the problems with the phone stem from the data network performance, there were some Nokia-created glitches. The original headset and numerous replacements kept breaking. I went through four in the first three months. The salespeople at the ATT wireless store were kind enough to provide a new one each time. One even suggested that there were many headsets from this particular model being returned. Nokia may have had some manufacturing problems with the initial production lot as I haven't had any problems in the last five months.

Although the overall design is excellent, I would have appreciated a keypad cover. The main numeric keypad is prone to accidental key depression when the phone is placed in a pocket or backpack. Many users will lament the lack of a camera or Bluetooth. However, I truly miss higher data rates from offered by EDGE. These features, including EDGE data capabilities, are available in the recently released Nokia 6820. Given the enhancements of this later generation model, there is little reason to purchase a 6800. If you don't mind the flashier design of the 6820, skip the 6800.

Pro's
Excellent interface design with QWERTY keyboard
Joy stick
Excellent sound quality and reception
Excellent speakerphone quality
Personal email (POP accounts)

Con's
No EDGE (available in 6820)
No Bluetooth (available in 6820)
GPRS Network performance poor
No camera
No expandable memory
No MP3

FINAL WORD
Skip the 6800 and purchase the 6820 instead

If you use Outlook or Lotus Notes you can synchronize your contacts, to-dos, memos (notepad notes), and appointments using infrared or an optional USB cable. This phone's perfect for people who do a lot of texting, instant messaging, and email--the T9 dictionary is the best predictive text input tool available and this phone's flip-open, full qwerty keyboard (with keys big enough and spaced out well enough for two-thumb typing to actually work!) makes it quick and easy to type. It also has voice dialing, voice commands, and a voice recorder for when you're in a hurry or have your hands full. And when you're sitting in a meeting without a pen and paper you can type notes on it too--even when talking on the phone, using the speakerphone capability.

This isn't an "everyday person" phone: it's a bit pricier (although you can get it free depending on what provider and plan you choose, and it almost always costs less than Treo, Blackberry, Palm, etc. PDA-phones) because it's not just a phone, it's a PIM/PDA; it only comes with two built-in games (which isn't a priority for businesspeople, although you can easily download additional games and other Java software); and it doesn't have a built-in camera (but have you ever seen a cell phone camera that was any good?).

My only complaints about this phone after having used it for over a year are: the GUI is a bit slow moving from screen to screen; the color display isn't as big, sharp, and impressive as some other phones with, well, bigger and sharper displays--but this phone was designed for text-based features anyway; the calendar doesn't support the complex recurrance and rescheduling features as Outlook so you sometimes get duplicate entries in your phone after synchronizing; the flip-open keyboard has a few characters in odd places that you have to get used to; and the proprietary accessory connector is horrible--impossible to tell whether you've got it upside-down, forces you to use Nokia's stereo headphones for the FM tuner, and often doesn't fully connect in the desktop cradle. Bluetooth and international GSM capability would also have been nice, as would MP3 playback capability.

The best thing you could do is go to a service provider's store where they have a real phone (not a shell) you can hold to see if you like it. If you're considering the 6820 just because it's newer, look carefully at the specifications because they aren't all improvements--also make sure you try typing on both keyboards because they're very different.

Oh one more thing, this phone is very durable, in my experience. I've fallen on it while mountain biking and playing sand volleyball, and while the window did crack, the phone kept working fine and the LCD didn't bleed or anything. I'm pretty impressed about that. Someday I'll send it in for repair, but it'd be hard to live without this phone even for a few days--it stores all my names, numbers, addresses, email addresses, directions to people's houses and businesses, personal notes, to-dos, appointments and meetings...and I probably send up to 50 emails and text messages a day because it's so convenient to type on.

Enter the Nokia 6800, and it does exactly what I need it to. The fold out keyboard is sturdy (I was very worried that the keyboard would be flimsy and am relieved to say it can take some heavy duty typing despite the fact that it's very thin) and fairly easy to "thumb type" on and even has a shift key and can be backlit for outdoor typing at night.

As I said before, the reception on my Cingular plan in Boston is fine.

The phone also has memory and it can hold up to 500 address book contacts with multiple entries (including: home phone, mobile phone, work #, fax, street address, email address and even "notes" that appear like tiny post-it's on the person's address book entry). This is great because, for the first time I can keep up with the contact info for my ever-changing, ever moving (and always changing their phone number) family, friends and colleagues. And, in fact, I've done away with my paper address book entirely.

You can also buy a special USB adaptor cable that you can use to backup all the info from your phone onto your PC (and vice-versa). The cable is a little expensive but well worth it from my perspective since lost contact information is incredibly annoying and hard to get back. (as an aside: You will need to download Nokia Phone Editor to use the USB adaptor cable, which can be downloaded for free from Nokia sites).

The color screen is a nice touch too, it's a little easier on the eyes than the old monochrome standard.

If I have a minor complaint, it's that the keypad is never covered, so that sometimes keys accidentally get "pushed" when I put my phone in a bag (although I've never "accidentally" made a phone call). I think the keyboard may be "locked" but I've been too lazy to research how to do it.)

The phone also has a few small gimmicks like some games and you can change the background color. For a few additional dollars you can use it to text message and (to my understanding) you can also send email which might be worth it since you actually have a qwerty keyboard. I haven't used those features, so I can't honestly tell you how well they work. I have played the games a few times but generally don't like them because the screen is small and "joystick" hard to use. Anyway, if you want video games, I would recommend buying a gameboy.

Overall, I wanted a sturdy cell phone that was easy to type on, with a color screen, and something that could replace my old address book and the 6800 did all those things, so I am a satisfied customer.